Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

The need for affordable childcare is amounting to a crisis in the US that largely affects female workers. To that end, tech unicorn Guild Education has announced Beehive, an affordable in-house childcare option whose model they aim to make available to other companies hoping to follow suit.

A rise in childcare costs, gas and electricity prices, and food bills have left more families struggling than ever before. But what is the long-term impact of this cost of living crisis, and how can brands help families alleviate the pressure as they begin to tighten their belts?

Many parents have found juggling priorities during the pandemic a challenge, and while tech has helped balance work, childcare, and household duties, the combined strain has added up. What are the long-term implications of lockdown on parents, and how can brands respond?

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen women dropping out (or being forced out) of the workforce in record numbers. What are the reasons behind this shift and how might they affect gender equality in the long run? Additionally, how can brands support mothers as they strive to find success and balance?